Hi there,
I'm brand new to this forum, but I got a personal message in my regular email asking to present my proposal to the Ask JTF forum. I had mentioned in the introduction section of these forums that I am an independent filmmaker residing in Texas at the moment. I am also an American/Israeli with dual citizenship.
I first became truly aware of Rabbi Kahane just a few short months ago (I know, I must have been living on another planet perhaps) being made aware of him by a guy calling himself Kahane Loyalist who had posted comments on some blog entries I had made on my Myspace page. Since then I have done a lot of research and found that politically if not completely religiously, (I come from a Conservative background), I support the vast majority of issues also supported by Kahane and the Kahanist movement. I.E. I am absolutely 100% a Zionist, I believe in a Greater Israel whose borders are defined in the Bible etc.
In any case...some things I have noticed: I believe that the Arabs have been and continue to be more effective than we are at waging a media war. When it comes to the Kahanist idealogy this is even more the case since the Kahane movement is fighting against perceptions of not only the outside world, but of our very own brethren...regular everyday Jews across the world as well.
I have noticed...and please forgive me for being blunt here:
That:
1. The videos shown on YouTUBE.com are grainy.
2. The lighting and sound are bad.
3. The background used by Chaim shouts "This is an underground video!"
4. Chaim's clothes are reminiscent of World War 2 French Underground resistance fighters.
I don't know if it is the JTF's intention to present itself as though it were underground completely or not. But I do know that in matters of perception, "underground" often is seen as "illegal."
While I know that the Kach movement and much of the Kahanist Movement's stuff is seen as truly illegal especially in Israel...media wars, taking place for the hearts and minds of people, is all about changing perceptions...influencing people to take your side in viewpoint.
Several things can help the JTF tremendously in this.
1. Have a professionally done show. (You CAN do this in an apartment or some other space)
2. Give Chaim a well lit (When things are bright and open spaced there is a feeling of openness, of honesty...and of legitimacy.) area in which to sit and deliver his broadcast.
Perhaps put an Israeli flag either on a flag stand next to a wing backed chair or behind the chair on a wall. Have a nicely carpeted area covered with a pretty persian rug. Have a well made desk behind which Chaim can sit. It's a set...there are all kinds of possibilities that you can do without making it look like Chaim is in some cramped, confined area which he must squeeze into to do his broadcast.
3. Give him a professional mic. It ought to be wireless, very small, hooked onto his collar and transmitting either to a DAT recorder or even to the camera.
4. Use a professional, broadcast quality camera. Use a Prosumer camera...mini-DV will work just fine for the internet but really, High Definition would be ideal. I would suggest either a Canon XL2 or a JVC GYHD100.
5. Again, have professional lighting. When one comes out of the darkness and into light, again...it provides the viewer with a sense of legitimacy.
I doubt highly that the JTF would like to be seen in the same sort of light as al Qaida or any other Arab group that uses terror and that provides video commentary. If one takes a look both at the quality of these Arab videos as well as the backgrounds used, along with the lighting and sound...the JTF is mimicking them. That's bad.
I think the JTF would like to have its ideas floating in the mainstream. But to do that, I think you need to be more media savvy and technically proficient than you've been. That's a harsh criticism perhaps but I believe there ARE solutions.
I would like to be able to help in that in some manner. I have not clearly thought through exactly how, since I live in Texas and most of you are in New York, but if my ideas sound remotely plausible, workable or otherwise make sense...I would welcome hearing from you all.
Be well!
Shalom.
Will